Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Review

What would a Great Big Bertha driver be without a Great Big Bertha fairway too? Well, lonely for one thing, so thankfully Callaway has brought the GBB back to the short stuff too.

All the recent technical wizardry from recent Callaway fairways is in here from a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup to greater ball speeds as the face wraps around the front of the club before being welded on.

The face is also as forgiving as always...

...and there is a a modern version of the classic Warbird contoured sole to help you get at the ball on uneven lies, although it is pretty subtle in the Great Big Bertha .

Well you get a larger head for starters, as otherwise there would be no point putting Great in the name. In the 3-wood it is only 9cc extra at 182cc, but it does give a larger presence at address and I do like that in fairways.

The leading edge sits square and there is a hint of the top line being a little open in contrast to the fractionally more closed XR. There is also a hint of a pointy head as the Centre of Gravity (CG) pulls the weight low and back to increase the forgiveness thanks to the larger head.

However I think it stays on the right side of being rounded and when you swing the Great Big Bertha you get the same lovely sound and feel that you get from all Callaway fairway woods. It did have a slightly heavier feel than the XR but nothing that should put you off.

The other feature you get for your extra cash is the Callaway OptiFit adjustable hosel that enables you to adjust the loft up 2°, down 1° or set the club with a closed face to promote a draw.

However this is not available in every loft, just the 15° 3-wood, 18° 5-wood and 20.5° Heavenwood with its longer 42.75 inch shaft. The 21° 7-wood and 41.5 inch shafted 24° Divine 9-wood are fixed hosels for reasons known only to their creator.

The Heavenwood and Divine 9 are excellent alternatives if you want height with a bit more length that the longer shaft should deliver.

If you need the adjustability or just like a larger head on your fairways, then the Great Big Bertha is a great choice.

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User Reviews

July 2016

The 9 wood is indeed Heavenly; hit 2 long boring shots into and through the wind. Biggest question I have now is whether to purchase the Great Big Bertha 7 wood as well. Mitsubishi shaft and black club-head feel and look solid. Thank you, Callaway.